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It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!

Hi everyone!As you can see this is my first post, I started playing the piano (in the sense of a game, not an instrument) two weeks ago and I'm very determinded in learning and I regret I haven't paid attention to this keyboard I had at home.

Now, I'm searching for opinion to learn a bit faster and properly.

Currently I'm playing on a keyboard Casio CSK-551, I know it's old but it is the best I can use.I started watching videos in Lypur's channel in youtube and also in the channel of youcanplayit.I have the minimal knowledge of music and I would like to get better.And regarding the way of learning, should I use the ABRSM syballus of the courses or any studying plan or just by learning songs? If there was a studying plan, it would be great.

So far I can play the Happy Birthday, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and a bit of Ode to joy and also a bit of Moonlight Sonata mov 1. Thanks to my keyboard that tells me what note to play and with what finger to use.

Thanks and sorry if I made any mistakes, english is not my main language, and I will appreciate every answer. Viander

Hi everyone!As you can see this is my first post, I started playing the piano (in the sense of a game, not an instrument) two weeks ago and I'm very determinded in learning and I regret I haven't paid attention to this keyboard I had at home.

Now, I'm searching for opinion to learn a bit faster and properly.

Currently I'm playing on a keyboard Casio CSK-551, I know it's old but it is the best I can use.I started watching videos in Lypur's channel in youtube and also in the channel of youcanplayit.I have the minimal knowledge of music and I would like to get better.And regarding the way of learning, should I use the ABRSM syballus of the courses or any studying plan or just by learning songs? If there was a studying plan, it would be great.

So far I can play the Happy Birthday, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and a bit of Ode to joy and also a bit of Moonlight Sonata mov 1. Thanks to my keyboard that tells me what note to play and with what finger to use.

Thanks and sorry if I made any mistakes, english is not my main language, and I will appreciate every answer. Viander

How serious are you to learn properly? I have discovered it is one thing to hit notes on a keyboard but another thing altogether to phrase properly.

My plan is to attend lessons and do what my teacher tells me.So far, it's working out great!

Actually I don't have a teacher and I'm not planning to have one at least in the short run.

You sound like you are really dedicated to the idea of learning how to play, and genuinely asking for advice on the best way to go about it. So here's my advice:

-Get a good teacher. Even if you can only afford lessons once in a while, every other week, whatever. It *will* help and allow you to progress much faster than on your own. I'm not sure what reservations you have about this idea, but I ask you to reconsider. People can and do self-teach, but always compared with someone who has a good teacher that fits their needs, the taught pianist will progress faster.

-Get a decent piano. I know this can be difficult to do. Many people have space concerns or sound concerns with neighbors. But even a good digital piano with 88 weighted keys will help you to improve much faster than you will on this keyboard. If you are serious, perhaps start saving now. For brand new, you can get a decent digital piano for around $500 USD. On the used market you can get one for quite a bit less than this, just make sure it has 88 weighted keys and you'll be well on your way to progressing as a pianist.

Get a good teacher. Even if you can only afford lessons once in a while, every other week, whatever. It *will* help and allow you to progress much faster than on your own. I'm not sure what reservations you have about this idea, but I ask you to reconsider. People can and do self-teach, but always compared with someone who has a good teacher that fits their needs, the taught pianist will progress faster.

-Get a decent piano. I know this can be difficult to do. Many people have space concerns or sound concerns with neighbors. But even a good digital piano with 88 weighted keys will help you to improve much faster than you will on this keyboard. If you are serious, perhaps start saving now. For brand new, you can get a decent digital piano for around $500 USD. On the used market you can get one for quite a bit less than this, just make sure it has 88 weighted keys and you'll be well on your way to progressing as a pianist.

The suggestions from Morodiene are probably the best advice you can get.

You can learn without a teacher but your skill set is likely to be flawed and eventually will make things more difficult for you.

Some will argue that you "don't need a teacher, look at ...".The problem with that is that you will not find out that they were wrong until you have progressed about 5 years down the road. Then you will be wishing you had started with a teacher and those who said you don't need a teacher will be no where around. It will be you who pays the price.

Now, if you just want to be a hobby pianist and be able to "bang" out a few songs, no problem ... you do not need a teacher for that.

But you say

Quote:

Now, I'm searching for opinion to learn a bit faster and properly.

That word PROPERLY makes all the difference. You want PROPERLY ? Get a teacher.

Thanks and sorry if I made any mistakes, english is not my main language, and I will appreciate every answer. Viander

You didn't say what kind of music that you like. If you want to learn classical music, your keyboard will sabotage you.

I recommend you to keep studying with your keyboard for now, and, ideally, you should find a teacher. However, you should start to plan how to upgrade your instrument--either to a digital piano with 88 weighted keys or to a used acoustic piano.

. . . Currently I'm playing on a keyboard Casio CSK-551, I know it's old but it is the best I can use.

I _think_ that the CTK-551 keyboard is _not_ "touch-sensitive". That is, it makes the same sound whether you press a key softly, or hit it hard. That's how an organ keyboard works.

That's a serious problem for learning to play piano. Piano music has lots of "dynamics" -- changes from soft playing to loud playing, times when one hand (or one finger!) plays loudly, and others play softly.

You can certainly learn a lot of _music_ with that keyboard. Scales, chords, arpeggios, will all work the same as on a piano.

. . . If it's all you have, use it!

But it will handicap you in learning piano technique. Your fingers will not become sensitive about how hard they hit the keys (because each note will sound equally loud), and that's an important skill for piano playing.

You didn't say what kind of music that you like. If you want to learn classical music, your keyboard will sabotage you.

I recommend you to keep studying with your keyboard for now, and, ideally, you should find a teacher. However, you should start to plan how to upgrade your instrument--either to a digital piano with 88 weighted keys or to a used acoustic piano.

I like all kind of music, but specially classical and I might consider to buy an 88 keys digital piano but not quite soon.

Originally Posted By: Charles Cohen

I _think_ that the CTK-551 keyboard is _not_ "touch-sensitive". That is, it makes the same sound whether you press a key softly, or hit it hard. That's how an organ keyboard works.

You can certainly learn a lot of _music_ with that keyboard. Scales, chords, arpeggios, will all work the same as on a piano.

. . . If it's all you have, use it!

I would learn piano technique and what you said , scales, chords, arpeggios,...